E792 antiquities in Scotland. 216 
the people, as to be above the imputation of blame, 
or be sunk so low as not to admit of having his cause 
pleaded by a friend! Fortunate are the people when 
they have it not in their power to silence their best 
instructors ! Blefsed is the state when the peacema- 
ker can raise his voice without fear, and dares to allay~ 
that fury, which, if unrestrained, leads either to im- 
plicit obedience, or rath deeds of barbarism, that. 
makes the heart to fhudder! It isin this state-of things, 
only, that perfect political freedom can be enjoyed. 
Long, then, may such writers as. Thunderproof be 
permitted to exert their talents. A foolifh procla- 
mation may be disregarded, while the law can be en- 
forced. But who fhall set limits to the power of a 
headstrong populace, when they believe that they are. 
authorised to: decide *? ALCIBIADES. 
ON ANTIQUITIES IN SCOTLAND, 
Continued from p: 134.. 
VITRIFIED FORTIFICATIONS. 
Lam much disposed to believe that vitrified fortifi.. 
cations have been entirely a Britifh invention, andi 
think it probable that the art was never carried out: 
* That impartiality on which the Editor piques himself, induce# him. 
to insert the above, He is. not conscious that the charges against either 
himself or his gorrespondent are well founded. He. does not pretend to: 
adopt the opinions of his respective correspondents. His aim is only to 
guard against admitting any thing that he thinks can have a pernicious . 
tendency, and to do full justice to the arguments of his correspondents... 
Controversy he must avoid, but a difference of opinion, where that is ex- 
prefsed with temper, even where it militates against his own, he hall ever~ 
cherifh. It is in consequence of such differences in opinion that.truth cans 
heat be attained. 
